Process and apparatus for separating materials



Feb. 15, 1955 Filed Aug. 17, 1948 N. E. JOAQUIN PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING MATERIALS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Feb. 15, 1955 N. E. JOAQUIN 2,702,122

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING MATERIALS Filed Aug. 17, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. K/flTf/HN E. JOHQU/N HTTOENGV Feb. 15, 1955 N. E. JOAQUIN 2,702,122

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING MATERIALS Filed Aug. 17, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR. NHTAWN E. JOHQU/N HT 702/15 V Feb. 15, 1955 N. E. JOAQUIN 2,702,122

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING MATERIALS Filed 'Aug. 17, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 59 52 is V w IY/Ai '25 INVENTOR.

mzm/ ,QTTOENEV Feb. 15, 1955 N. E. JOAQUIN 2,702,122

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING MATERIALS Filed Aug. 17, 1 948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 prmeues United tates atent 240 2 RQ N ATUS OR. EBABA'HNG 'MATERIALS;

Elie-present; invention relates. to the separation of materials of different-specific 'gravities.

Anobjectmf the/invention is. to obtain separation between. twqor more solid materials having different specific gravities, and the collection of all solids of substantially thejsame specific-gravity at a single. location, regardless ojdiiferenc'es' in physicalsizes. of the solids having the sarnegspecificzgravity.

Another. object of: the invention is to obtain the simultaneous; separation. between solids of diiterent specific. gravitiessbyallowing them to gravitate through water" orother. liquid; obtaining the deposition of all sqlids;.0f-the,samespecific gravity atthesame. point, re.- gardlesspof: differences in their. physical size, such *point or location being difierent from the point of deposition of solids oianother specific gravity. l

A; fu ther. object of the, invention is to i provide an apllaratus -for,.,classifying orfseparating solids, which is capable;of'precipitating the solids vertically through a liquid while moving them. laterally through the liquid atia predetermined rate,. to insure. full-vertical separation lrlett veenv solids,.of different. specific gravities -and separate deposition; ,of solids of each .gravityEat' particular points.

Still; another. object .of theFi'nventioni is to provide. an apparatus for separating solids,. 'which is capable of discharging; the. solids intofia movable member submersible iniwater, or other liquid, and-in which the point 'of discharge; Qf'the solidsisvariable to insurevertical separa;

tiombetween solids of. different sp'ecificgravities and the deposition or collection of'all solids 6f the same gravity at a particularpoint: l l

etlanot-heriobject of the invention-sis. to provide-an apparatus,forwseparatingzsolids, in which solids ofdit ferentph sicalsiz'es may be discharged iiito a=movable mgmbeiysubmersiblegin water, or other liquid, at 'spaced predetermined -poin'ts,"to. cause.verticalfseparation be tween solidsiof 'difierent spe'cific gravities and collection oi .all; solids of thesam'e specific gravity'at the same point,

regardlessaof,difierencesfin theiriiphysical size. Ir -1-this connection, the point of discharge of each physical size may. be;varied .within close'lin'iitatioril further-:ohject of the invention is to provide an apparatus-fforr'separating solid's'of different specific gravities,

thetseparate'dsolids being receivable inbin s or containers thatxcant be prearran'gedat selected intervals to insure dtoppingoftheseparated solids into particular-containers, Without danger of inadvertent'commingling of the separatedjso'lid's.

-Still3another. object of theinvention is to obtainthe automatici'removal'of the separated solids from the individual: containers in which they "have been deposited. Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for:hydraulically.reinoving'the separated solids from their individual.containersfin accordance withthe leyelof the solids in each container Yet-another object of the invention isto provide a movable member submersible in'a liquid; for separating solids by gravity, in'which the member has aplurality, of separatedpa'ssages through which the solids gravitate, the

passages havinga predetermined shape to insure s1 1,b stantially uniform discharge of solids of the same specific gravity. from. the bottom or outlet end of each passage.

lncclonnection .with this aspect of the invention, the passages; rnay1 be made adjustable.

. Thisliinvention possessesmany other.-advantages,- and; v I er, oblects wh1ch'may,be mademore clearly: ap-- pgrpnt irop az considerat on of process described" herein.

and several physical forms inwhichitzmay be embodied; Suchformsare shown in the drawings'accompanyin'g and forming part of the present specification; These forms will now be described in detail, illustrating the generalprinciples of the inventiombut it is, to bejund'eri stood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope-of the invention is best defined; by the app'endedclaims,

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal View of one fQrm...0fap, pa a p s e n hown in section;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view, illustrative, of, the. mode o pe at f he pparatus;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section. taken, along, theline; on Fig, 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view, ta en along the. li ne,,4.-4 on Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a sectiontalcenalong the line,5'-5fon.Ei'g.j4;

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line,6,6.o,n,Fig. 5f; 7 is an end elevation as seen from the leftof.

Fig. 8 is an, enlarged, section taken along,- the line 8--8 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 9 -9011 Fig, 8; i Fig. 10 is alongitudinalview, partly. in section,.of,th'e hydraulic mechanism for effecting automatic. discharge of thesolids from a,, re,ceiving'bin-;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinaljsection through a float. controlledjpiston-valve shownin Fig. 10;jand

Fig. 12 is a modified formgof vaneandpassagecon: struction forming partof thQfOtGI ofthel apparatus.-

In connection Withone aspect of: the invention, it,is,

desired to separate solids. by effecting their gravitation throughvwater, or other liquid, having. a lesser, specific. gravity. than allcoinponents' of the, solids themselves. The rate at which a solid particle will gravitate or'precipi: tate through a liquid depends upon its size, shape-and: specific gravity.- Thus, solidss of. the identical specific gravity, but of different physical size and-shape, will gravitate through. the liquid at difierent rates, andywill reach a certain depth, in. the liquid at-diiferent times. The. present'inventioncontemplates a process and apparatus. for insuring that solids of: the, same: specific gravity will reach the same collectionpoint; in-the liq-a uid,-. regardles s of variations .in their physical sizes and shapes.

In. carrying. out the process, thesolids to be .sep aratedare classified ntwo stages; The first-stage in:r volvesclassiiication in accordance with-various .physn ical sizes regardless ofiany diflierencesin gravities. Asv an exarnple,' the. mass of solids-may be-screened to effect theinseparationfinto batches .ofLaboutten mesh;

twentymesh; thirty mesh, .etc Each-physical size of solid then .underg'oes. the second! stageyof I, clasgfication by allowing it to' gravitate or precipitate in a liquid,-such;

as water. During such precipitation through thewwater, a seperation. will take place; between solids of-. differ:-

er t. specific gravities By causing lateral: movement of the solids atfapredeterrnined :rate during their gravitas.- tion through the liquid, the separated solids .of difler ent. gravities will reach the sarnedepth atdifferent times and, at, separated receiving points, where the individual.

solids .ofeach gravity are collected.

A mass .of'solids of two or more diiterent: meshes or physical. sizesv may be caused to gravitate-through the;

liquid simultaneously, andsolids; oft the same specific gravitywillreachthe same'depth or recelvi-ng point'as r 3 must be moved laterally a longer time and through a greater distance than the larger size solids.

By referring to the drawings, apparatus is disclosed for-effecting separation of solidsin accordance with their specific gravities, and regardless of differences in the physical sizes of the solids. The solids are caused to gravitate through water, or other suitable liquid, contained within a vertical cylindrical tank 10, suitably supported within a frame 11. This tank contains concentrate or receiving bins 12 in its lower portion, formed by an inner frusto-conical support 13 and by vertical radially extending partitions or bafiles 14 running between the wall of the tank and the frusto-conical support. The partitions 14 maybe placed at selected intervals'depending upon the particular solids to be received therein.

Disposed above the receiving bins is a rotor 15 mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. This rotor is secured to a vertical shaft 16, whose lower end is rotatable in a bearing support 17 secured to the frustoconical bin member 13. The upper end of the shaft is rotatably mounted in a bearing sleeve 18 fixed in a bearing support 19 suitably secured within the upper end of the frame 11.

The rotor 15 has a plurality of generally vertically arranged passages 20 that are submerged in the water in the tank, and through which the solids descend. These passages are formed by overlapping adjustable vanes 21, of generally U-shape, having overlapping'pd ripheral or rim portions 22 secured to each other by top and bottom pivot screws 23, 24. The vanes also have inner portions 25 that overlap each other and are secured to the upper and lower hubs 26, 27 of the retor by means. of pivot screws 28, 29. The top pivot screws 23 passing through the peripheral portions 22 of the vanes are coaxial with the top pivot screws 28 passing through the inner flange portions 25 of the vanes. Similarly, the bottom pivot screws 24, 29 at the outer and inner portions 22, 25 of the vanes are coaxial with each other. The coaxial arrangement is provided to permit the vanes 21 to pivot upon one another without binding.

As stated above, the inner portions 25 of the vanes 21 are secured to the lower rotor hub 27, which is fixed to the rotor shaft 16 in any suitable manner, as by means of a cap screw 30 threaded through the hub and bearing against the shaft. The upper portions of the vanes 21 are secured to an adjustable rotor hub member 26 by the inner pivot screws 28, thus upper hub member being angularly movable about the shaft 16 in 7,

order to obtain the inclination from the vertical of the vanes 21. a drive member 31 is secured to the shaft by one or more cap screws 32, and also by a key 33, this drive member having a lug 34 extending upwardly through member 26. The latter has upwardly extending bosses 36 at opposite ends of its opening, through which adjusting screws 37 are threaded for bearing against'the opposite ends of the lug 34.

By suitably turning the adjusting screws 37, the movable hub member 26 may be rotated with respect to the drive member 31 and shaft 16, such rotation also shifting the upper ends of the vanes 21 angularly with re spect to the lower ends of the vanes. In this manner, the vanes are angled to the vertical, with their upper ends placed ahead of their lower ends in the direction of rotation of the rotor 15. Following the adjustment of the vanes 21 to the required degree, theyare held in such adjusted position by. tightening lock nuts 38 on the adjusting screws 37 against the bosses 36.

The inner pivot screws 28, 29 pass freely through holes in the inner vane flanges 25, and are bottomed in threaded holes 39 in the hubs 26, 27. Similarly, the outer pivot screws 23, 24 pass freely through holes in the outer rim portion 22 of each vane, being threaded into the rim portion of an adjacent vane. Such arrangement of the screws, coupled with their coaxiality, allows the vanes 21 to rock or pivot on the screws and be moved to the desired positions of adjustment.

The rotor is rotated by a suitable motor 40, which drives a variable ratio transmission 41, of suitable construction, connected to a drive shaft 42 mounted 'withina bearing bracket 43 fixed to the frame 11. A bevel pinion 44 is attached to this drive shaft 42 and meshes For purposes of obtaining such adjustment,

with a bevel gear 45 secured to the rotor shaft 16. By means of this drive mechanism, the rotor 15 is rotated at the desired speed, which can be varied by changing the transmission ratio of the variable speed device 41, depending upon the solids to be separated in the apparatus.

The rotor 15 is disposed in the tank 10, which is filled with water, or other suitable liquid. The level of the water is preferably above the upper ends of the adjustable vanes 21, the height of the water being determined by an overflow pipe 46 extending into the tank. The solids to be separated in accordance with their specific gravities are laced in one or more feed chutes 47 extending radially of the drum with their outlet ends disposed over the passages 20. Each feed chute 47 is adjustable with respect to the receiving bins 12 to insure that solids of the desired gravity will drop through the liquid in the tank into the proper bin. Such adjustment is made circumferentially of the liquid tank. In addition, the outlet area or size of the feed chute 47 may be varied, depending upon the type of material to be separated in the apparatus.

The foregoing adjustable features may be provided by forming each feed chute 47 with spaced inner and outer end walls 48, 49. with a fixed side wall 50 interconnecting the end walls, and with an opposed movable side wall 51 pivotally mounted to the upper ends of the end walls by pins 52 or the like (see Figs. 4 to 7, inc.). The side walls 50, 51 ta er downwardly toward each other to provide a generally rectangularly shaped outlet 53 of smaller size than the inlet or upper end of the chute.

The size of the outlet opening 53 can be varied by moving the adjustable side wall 51 to and from the fixed side wall 50. To accomplish this purpose, an ad usting screw 54 is threaded through a central boss 55 in the movable wall, the end of the screw engaging the inner surface of the fixed wall 50. Spaced screws 56 are disposed on opposite sides of the adjusting screw 54, passing freely through holes 57 in the movable wall 51 and threaded through bosses 58 in the fixed wall 50. By turning the central screw 54, the movable wall 51 may be swun on its coaxial pivot pins 52 to and from the fixed w ll 50, to vary the size of the outlet chute opening 53. When such adiustment'has occurred, the other screws 56 are tightened in order to hold the adjusting screw 54 firmlv against the fixed wall 50. and secure the movable wa l 51 to the remainder of the chute device.

One or more feed chutes 47 may be disposed around the tank 10 and ab ve the rotor 15. Inner and outer shafts or trunnions 59, 60 are fixed to the inner and outer walls 48, 49 of each feed chute, the inner trunnion 59 resting upon a horizontal stationary plate or disc 61 fixed to the bearin sleeve 18 for the rotor shaft 16. The outer t 60 d' b an arcuate slot or opening 35 in the ad ustable hub runmon 1s a iv mounted wlthm a bracket 62 havll'nizodepending legs 63 straddling the upper end of the tan The feed chute 47 may be disposed radially at selected points around the tank 10, and, when dis osed at the proper location, is maintained in such position by pins 64 on opposite sides of the inner trunnion 59 received within holes 65 in the stationary plate 61, as well as by clamping the bracket 62 to the tank by a suitable lock screw 66 threaded through one of the bracket legs 63 and bearing against the exterior of the tank. It is to be noted that the holes 65 in the stationary plate 61 are disposed on a circle, and that each lock screw 66 may be loosened to permit circumferential ad ustment of each feed chute around the tank 10 and stationary plate; after which the pins 64 are inserted in the plate 61 on opposite sides of the inner trunnion 59 and the bracket 62 afiixed to the tank by the lock screw 66.

Each feed chute 47 may be adjusted with respect to the receiving bins and the rotor comparatively coarsely in the manner just described. A finer adjustment of the position of the feed chute 47 and particularly its outlet 53 can be made by rotating the feed chute about the axis of its trunnions 59, 60.

The outer trunnion 60 extends through a split portion of the bracket 62, and has an index pointer 67 attached to 1t, which is movable over suitable indicia 68 onthe exterior of the bracket. A cap screw 69 extends through the split portion of the bracket, and, when tightened, lsjervells tto clamp the outer trunnion 60 firmly to therac e When a fine adjustment is desired of the outlet end 53 of the'-fec'dchute'47,-the capscrew 69"is. loosened; which permits the outer trunnion 60 to be rotated in the bracket62 to the desired degree, the extentof the angular movement. being indicated by the pointer 67. Thereafter, 'the' cap screw 69 is tightened to hold the feed chute 47 in its-adjusted" position.

' Each feed chutereceivesIsolids of a particular mesh from suitable apparatus'capable of separating such solids into different physical sizesl As. disclosed in the'draw ings; the mass of solids'may be first disposed within a first-shaker screen 70 of suitableconstruction and of suitable mesh. The solids that do not pass through this screenare fed through a suitable passage ortube 71 to one of the feed'. chutes 47." Solids that 'are capable of passing through the"upper'screen '70. then move onto a lower screen 72-, where solids of 'a smaller mesh come to rest and throughwhich solids of a still smaller mesh may pass onto a third screen'73.

As many-screens are provided as are necessary to separate the material into 'ditferent' physical' sizes or meshes. As indicated above, the large mesh material is conducted through 'asuitable passage 71 to one of the feed chutes 47'. The other smaller size materials are conducted through individual passages or tubes 74, 75 to other individual feed chutes*47. The solids arecaused to move from each shaker screen into each conveyor tube in any suitable manner, as by gravity, in'view 'of the inclined disposition ofthe shaker'screens 70,72, 73.

As above stated, solids of larger physical size will gravitate throu'ghthe liquid in the tank'at a faster'rate than solids'of smaller physical size. Accordingly, the solids of largest physical ,size 'are'directed into a feed chute 47 that is' mounted :in the apparatusin advance-oft the'oth'er feed chutes," as regards the directionof rotation of the rotor'15. 'Solidsfof the next physical size are conveyedto a feed chute behind the one just mentioned, and this feed chute is ahead of the feed chute of the solids of still smaller physical size.

Y The number'of feedl-chutes and' their relative arrangementaround the apparatus willdepen'dupon' the material to'be' separatedand-thelocation of the ditferent receiving bins IZin'the; lower'part-o'f the tank 10. Each receiving bin 12 is disposed 'aheadof the feed chute from which it is to receive solids, in order'th'at rotation of the rotor-15 will'bringtheditferentseparated materials to the rightbinat precisely theri'ght' time;

The performance of a separating operation may perhaps be better understood by referring to-thef diagrammatic vi'ew shown-"in Fig. 2. Solids of one physical size 'are contained in one feed chute 47a atthe point A, and solids of another and greater physical size are contained in 'thefeedchuteE47biat pointB; Letit. be assumed that the "rotor 15 advancing in thedirection of the arrow-C and that'it' is desired to 'have 'all solids of one par'ticular'gravity drop'into" a'stationary bin at the point D, 'whereas solids of another lighter gravity are to drop into the adjacent receiving bin' at the pointE.

The smaller 'size material discharges from the feed chute'47a; -lo'cated-at the' point A; into'one of the ver tical passages 'Ztl'forrhd by the rotor vanes 21. This material begins settling throughthe passage during rotation or movement of the passage in the direction of thearrow During the settling action, the solids e,' f, g of different specific gr'avities 'thatwere in the feed chute 47a will separate in*acco'rdance with their specific gravitiesyand may become'separated by' certain distances. The solids e'of the greatest specific gravity will reach the end of the passage when the latter has beenmoved "into alignmentwiththe receiving bin at statio'n D. -During the time that the drum continues' its rotation from the bin'D to-the bin E, solids f of lighter specific gravity are settling through the passage 20 to its bottom end,"dropping into the bin at E when the-passage becomes aligned therewith. In like manner, still lighter solids'g will drop into the next succeeding bins during rotation of the rotor 15.

Referring still toFig. 2, solids h, j, k are also dropping out of another feed chute, 47b at the point B into anotherpassage 20a. which is then closer to the receiving bins D- and E than passage 20 when it is disposed under chute; 47a. These solids h, j, k are of larger physical size than those in the feed chute 47 a; at point; A andfwill drop through the water in the passage 20a at a faster rate, the solids h, j, k, se parat-in'g from="one another: in'"accordance with "their specific gravities. When the drum] orrotjor 15} is" 1'6 rated to bring the passage Ztla into alignment with the: receiving 'binat the point D, the sojlids 'h' of greatest} specific gravity (same gravity; as solids e)- 'will drop intothe binD', and as rotation of therotor continues; solids j, k of progressively lesser specific'gravity will drop; into the bin E andl'the succeeding bins.

Thus, by appropriate positioning of the" feed chutes 47 with respect to the receiving bins 12,it is possible" toobtainseparation of the'solids'in accordance'with their specific gravities, and the dropping of all solids ofj'the same specifidgravitydnto thes'ame receiving bin, regardless of their physical. size.

It is'to be noted that the 'outlet 53. of each feed; chute '47:. is? preferably of substantially ilessler Width that the width of each passage 20 This 'proportion' ing of parts is desired to insure 'a' closer timed 're'la tion between the point. of discharge of the solids into each passage and the depositing of: the separatedi'solids, into the receiving bin. The making'ofdh'e' discharge opening 53; relatively narrow causes the discharge to occur substantially along a radial'line at'. the" "samelateral distance from'the receiving bins 12. This pre'-" vents thesolids from entering the passages 20.sim'ul-. taneously along a substantial: arcuate' ex'tcntfand 'at varyingdista'nces fromthe bins 12." This latter con-. dition might result in some solids of a particular grav-' ity'dropping from a passage before or after. it has become aligned with its receiving bin. Since the rotor 15*is moving during discharge of the solids'intof each'passage 20,. the'solids will ententhe?v leading passage side ahead of. the trailing. side, and will'begin descending through the. water at different verticaldistances. To offset this occurrence, the blades or vanes 21 areinclined, as described above, with the upper 'endsof .the vanes disposed forwardly of. their. lower ends. The particles engage the inclined, forward. vane of a passage 20 confining them, and move. down: wardly along such inclined vanefbeing retarded by. the latter. This retarding, action allows the trailing portion ofthe solids of each specific gravity to catch: up to the leading portions. As a matter of fact, the proper inclina'tionof the, vanes 21 will causesolids of.

thesar'ne specific gravity in a passage 20., to reach a.

receiying bin 12iin almost a horizontal plane, insuring, the" proper discharge of such solids into the receiving bin before the passage has moved from. alignment with such. bin.

A modified form ofpassageis disclosed in Fig. 12,, in which the vanes 80 defining the sides of the passage are. not helically disposed or angled. Instead, these vanes are disposed radially of the rotor axis, the leading'vane having an inclined bafile 81 secured to 'it,.

with the baffle inclined downwardly infa trailingdirec, tion as regards; the rotary direction of the rotor 15. This inclined .baflie not onlyserves to ,retardthe descent. of the leadingportio'ns of the solids entering the passage, but it also provides a confined outlet 82a from the passage, which is relatively narrow alonga radiali line; so as to insure the discharge of the solids of the same specific gravity into the desired receiving bin.

The width of the passage outlet 82a is substantially less. a than the width of the bin 12, allowing ample timefor the solids of a particular specific gravity to dropout of the passage during the sweep of the latter across the stationary bin.

As the solids accumulate in each bin 12 to a specified height, they are removed automatically by hydraulic devices (see Figs. 1, 10, and 11). Each bin 12 has an outlet 82 communicating with its lower portion that is normally closed by a valve head 83 con-. taining a seal ring 84 adapted to engage. a seat. 85 provided by the outer end of the outlet. Water from a suitable supply line 86 flows through a pipe 87 into a line 88 communicating with the interior of a valve housing 89. therein containing a central fluid passage 91 and radial ports 92 leading therefrom adapted to communicate with the jet line 88. A jet or orifice 93 is threaded" into the-nozzle member 90, and may have a restricted This housing has a nozzle slidable" When the nozzle 90 is in its inward position toward the water tank 10, as disclosed in Fig. 10, its radial passages 92'are located between seal rings 95, 96 in the valve housing, preventing communication between the jet line 88 and the central passage 91 through the nozzle, so that water cannot flow through the jet 93 into the receiving bin 12. With the nozzle in this position, the valve head 83 mounted on its outer end is forced against the valve seat 85 to close the outlet 82 from the bin. When, however, the nozzle 90 is shifted to the left, as seen in Fig. 10, the valve head 83 is moved away from its cooperable seat 85 on the outlet, and, at the same time, the nozzle ports 92 are placed between the seal rings 96, 97 on opposite sides of the jet line 88, which allows water under pressure to flow into the nozzle 90 and out of the jet 93, the jet acting upon the concentrate or solids in the bin 12 and flushing them through the outlet 82 into a suitable container (not shown).

The closed or open position of the nozzle 90 is dependent upon the level of the concentrate or solids in the bin. As the height of the concentrate rises in the bin, it elevates a density float 98, which is connected to a rod 99 extended through a vertical guide 100 secured to a bracket 101 clamped to the upper end of the tank by a lock screw 102. The upper end of the rod 99 is fixed to a head 103 that is pin connected to a lever 104 mounted upon a fulcrum pin 105 on the bracket. The other end of the lever has a pin 106 riding within a transverse slot 107 in a slide or piston valve 108 slidable within a valve housing 109.

At one side of the valve housing 109 are outer exhaust lines 110, 111 and an intermediate water supply line 112, which is connected to the main water supply line 86. The other side of the housing 109 has a pipe or line 113 connected to one side of a housing 114 containing a diaphragm 115 secured to the nozzle 90, the marginal portion of the diaphragm being clamped to the housing. Another line 116 runs from the valve housing 109 and communicates with the diaphragm housing 114 on the opposite side of the diaphragm 115.

As shown in the drawings, as the density float 98 moves upward, the slide valve 108 moves downwardly, and vice versa, because of the lever interconnection 104. As shown in Fig. 11, the slide valve 108 is in its upper position, and the seal rings 117, 118, 119 mounted thereon are so disposed relative to the various lines entering the valve body 109 as to exhaust the line 113 communicating with the inner end of the diaphragm 115 and allow water under pressure to flow into the other line 116, which shifts the diaphragm inwardly and places the nozzle 90 out of communication with the jet line 88, closing the bin outlet 82. As the float 98 rises with accumulation of concentrate in'a bin, the valve 108 is shifted downwardly, exhausting line 116 and placing line 113 in communication with water line 112. Water pressure now acts on the inner side of the diaphragm 115, shifting the nozzle 90 to the left (Fig. 10) and placing its passage in communication with the jet line 88. Such shifting also moves the head 83 from the bin outlet 82. Water can now jet through the outlet into the bin and flush concentrate from the bin through its outlet 82.

During removal of the concentrate the float 98 drops, and effects upward'shifting of valve member 108 to its original position. This causes shifting of the diaphragm 115 in the other direction, or to the right, as seen in Fig. 10, urgingthe valve head 83 against its seat 85, to close the jet outlet 82, and shifting the nozzle ports 92 between the seal rings 95, 96, which prevents flow of water from the jet line 88 through the nozzle 90.

It is apparent that the concentrates are automatically removed from the bin 12 by hydraulic means. It is to be understood that there is a nozzle control valve and float for each bin, although only one is disclosed in the draw ings for simplicity of illustration.

The partitions or baffles 14 for the bins 12 are placed at selected intervals around the bottom end of the rotor 15. The bins for receiving the concentrates of different specific gravity preferably do not extend around the entire periphery of the rotor, there being a large bin 12a for the usual gangue.

The water in the passages 20 is relatively quiescent although a slight movement is created by settling of the solids through the water in the rotor passages. During such settling, some particles of extremely small size may remain in colloidal suspension and will not drop from the passage. After essentially all solids have dropped from a passage 20, the latter will be rotated over a spray line 120 that may be disposed radially of the rotor 15. This spray line creates upwardly directed currents of fresh water, which tend to clear the passages 20 of the colloidal suspensions. The excess Water flows out of the tank 10 through the overflow pipe 46. The spray line or purging line 120 is connected with the water supply 86, 87, the flow through it being controlled by a suitable valve 121.

In order to prevent any agitation, caused by the spray line or nozzle 120, in the water within the passages 20 from effecting an agitation of the relative quiescent water in the other passages through which solids are settling, a water damper 122 is provided adjacent the upper end of the rotor 15. This damper is suitably supported from the stationary plate 61, with its lower end arranged radially of the rotor and immediately adjacent the upper ends of the vanes 21. It acts as a barrier, to dampen the currents of ascending water and prevents such currents from having any substantial disquieting effects on the water in the passages containing solid materials.

In lieu of using the spray line 120 extending radially of the rotor 15 for removing colloids, a curved spray line 123 may be disposed in the water tank 10 immediately below the outside of the periphery of the rotor 15. This spray line may be connected to the Water supply line 86, 87 through a valve 124 and serves to send water upwardly along the rotor, which will have some effect in causing the colloidal suspensions to rise in the passages 20 and pass out through the overflow line 46, without setting up substantial ascending currents that might disquiet the water in the other passages through which solids are descending. The water emanating from the curved spray line 123 will dilute the water in the tank 10, and, in view of the oversupply of Water in the latter, cause some of the colloids to flow through the overflow line 46 with the excess water.

The inventor claims:

1. The process of classifying solids; which comprises separating said solids into various physical sizes; vertically precipitating solids of smaller size through a liquid while moving said smaller size solids laterally through said liquid from a starting point toward a collection point; simultaneously vertically precipitating solids of larger size through said liquid while moving said larger size solids laterally toward said collection point from a starting point in advance of said first mentioned starting point; said starting points being so chosen with respect to each other and said collection point that solids of the same specific gravity and different sizes will be deposited at said same collection point.

2. The process of classifying solids; which comprises vertically precipitating solids of smaller size through a liquid while moving said smaller size solids laterally through said liquid from a starting point toward a collection point; simultaneously vertically precipitating solids'of larger size through said liquid while moving said larger size solids laterally toward said collection point from a starting point in advance of said first-mentioned starting point; said starting points being so chosen With respect to each other and said collection point that solids of the same specific gravity and different sizes will be deposited at said same collection point.

3. In apparatus for classifying solids: means for separating said solids into various physical sizes; a tank adapted to contain a liquid; a rotor rotatable in said tank while substantially submerged in said liquid, said rotor having generally vertical passages; and means for conducting solids of one physical size from said separating means to one point of discharge into one or more of said rotor passages, and solids of another physical size from said separating means to another point of discharge into one or more of said rotor passages; the points of discharge being below the surface of the liquid.

4. In apparatus for classifying solids: a tank adapted to contain a liquid; a member movable in said tank while substantially submerged in said liquid and having a plurality of generally vertical passages; the forward faces of said passages being inclined, with the upper end of-each forward face disposed ahead of its lower end; and means for discharging solids into the upper ends of said passages.

5. In apparatus for classifying solids: a tank adapted to contain a liquid; a rotor rotatable in said tank while substantially submerged in said liquid and having a plurality of generally radial and vertical passages; the forward faces of said passages being inclined, with the upper end of each forward face disposed ahead of its lower end; and means for discharging solids into the upper ends of said passages.

6. In apparatus for classifying solids: a tank adapted to contain a liquid; a rotor rotatable in said tank while substantially submerged in said liquid and having a plurality of generally radial and vertical passages; the forward faces of said passages being inclined, with the upper end of sach forward face disposed ahead of its lower end, the lower end of each passage being of less cross-sectional area than its upper end; and means for discharging solids into the upper ends of said passages.

7. In apparatus for classifying solids: a tank adapted to contain a liquid; a member movable in said tank while submerged in said liquid and having a plurality of generally vertical passages, each passage converging in a downward direction; the forward faces of said passages being inclined, with the upper end of each forward face disposed ahead of its lower end; and means for discharging solids into the upper ends of said passages.

8. In apparatus for classifying solids: a tank adapted to contain a liquid; 2. member movable in said tank while substantially submerged in said liquid, said member comprising supporting means, vanes mounted on said supporting means to define generally vertical passages; and means for adjusting said vanes on said supporting means to vary the inclination of said vanes to the vertical.

9. In apparatus for classifying solids: a tank adapted to contain a liquid; a rotor rotatable in said tank while I substantially submerged in said liquid, said rotor comprising supporting means, generally radial vanes mounted on said supporting means and overlapping each other to define generally vertical passages; and means for adjusting said vanes on said supporting means to vary the inclination of said vanes to the vertical.

10. In apparatus for classifying solids: a tank adapted to contain a liquid; a rotor rotatable in said tank while substantially submerged in said liquid, said rotor comprising generally radial vanes spaced from each other to define generally vertical passages, and an inclined generally radial baffle in each passage extending from the upper end of one vane to a point adjacent the lower end of another vane, to form a restricted outlet at the lower end of each passage.

11. In apparatus for classifying solids: a tank adapted to contain a liquid; a rotor rotatable in said tank while substantially submerged in said liquid, said rotor comprising generally radial vanes spaced from each other to define generally vertical passages, and an inclined generally radial baflle in each passage extending to a point adjacent the lower end of another vane, to form a restricted outlet at the lower end of each passage.

12. In apparatus for classifying solids: a tank adapted to contain a liquid; a member movable in said tank while substantially submerged in said liquid and having a plurality of generally vertical passages; at least a portion of the forward faces of said passages being inclined in such manner that the upper end of the inclined portion is forward of the lower end of said inclined portion; and means for discharging solids into the upper ends of said passages.

13. In apparatus for classifying solids: a tank adapted to contain a liquid; a rotor rotatable in said tank while substantially submerged in said liquid and having a plurality of generally radial and vertical passages; at least a portion of the forward faces of said passages being inclined, with the upper end of each forward face disposed ahead of its lower end; and means for discharging solids into the upper ends of said passages.

14. The process of classifying solids, which comprises: separating the solids according to size; laterally moving substantially vertical columns of liquid; and simultaneously depositing the solids in accordance with their size at laterally spaced points along the lateral path of movement, so that solids of different sizes and the same specific gravity are discharged at a common point from the columns. 1

15. The process of classifying solids, which comprises: separating the solids according to size; laterally moving substantially vertical columns of liquid; simultaneously depositing the solids in accordance with their size at laterally spaced points along the lateral path of movement, so that solids of different sizes and the same specific gravity are discharged at a common point from the columns; and separately collecting solids in groups of different specific gravities.

16. The method of separating granular materials which comprises leading relatively small batches of material to be separated into an isolated column of liquid in progressively increasing size groups, allowing said batches to settle together through said column, and collecting the material consecutively as it passes the end of said column.

17. The method of separating granular materials which comprises leading relatively small batches of material of progressively increasing size groups successively into an isolated column of liquid, allowing the material of all of said batches to settle together through the column, and collecting the material consecutively as it settles past the end of the column.

18. The method of separating granular materials which comprises putting batches of material into an isolated column of liquid in progressively increasing size groups and in superposed relation, allowing said batches to settle together through said column, and collecting the material consecutively as it passes the bottom of said column.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,003,704 Charlton Sept. 19, 1911 1,046,447 Delamater Dec. 10, 1912 1,147,356 Allen July 20, 1915 1,355,071 Allen Oct. 15, 1920 2,334,683 Smith Nov. 16, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 9,351 Great Britain of 1842 11,809 Great Britain of 1884 OTHER REFERENCES Mining and Scientific Press, p. 587, April 28, 1917. 

